Tensions between political parties in Osun State have escalated following the shooting of Wakeel Nurudeen Iyanda Alowonle, Chairman of the Osun State Transport Management System (OSTMS), with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchanging accusations.
The PDP condemned the shooting as an “assassination attempt” and called for the immediate prosecution of the officers involved, particularly Moses Lohor, head of the state’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
In a statement released Tuesday, PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi described the Monday night incident as part of a broader campaign of political violence and intimidation targeting the party. He accused the APC of being behind the attack, linking it to recent comments by APC National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, who had stated the party’s intention to “wrestle power” from the PDP in Osun and Oyo States.
Bisi called for a “transparent investigation” into the incident and urged that the police refrain from engaging in extrajudicial killings or “jungle justice.” He emphasized the need for accountability, especially for SP Moses Lohor, whom he claimed had been involved in past instances of political intimidation.
“The actions of SP Moses Lohor and his team must be fully investigated, and those culpable should be brought to justice,” Bisi said.
The PDP also urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Police Service Commission to take immediate action against the officers involved. Bisi insisted that the party would not tolerate political violence targeting its members.
In response, the Osun APC rejected the PDP’s accusations, defending the actions of the police. In a statement, APC Director of Media and Information Kola Olabisi praised the state police for their efforts to combat criminal activity and insisted that Alowonle had a criminal history.
Olabisi criticized the PDP for supporting a “hardened criminal,” questioning the commitment of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration to ensuring public safety.
“It is bizarre that the PDP would rush to defend a suspected criminal who has unresolved criminal cases hanging over him,” Olabisi said.
The APC also accused the PDP of prioritizing political interests over public safety, undermining law enforcement efforts to rid the state of crime.
As the two parties continue to trade accusations, calls for an independent investigation into the shooting are growing, with many hoping for a resolution that will restore public confidence in the state’s law enforcement agencies.